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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:01 pm
by Ted
I have been away for a while, as my internet connection has been so bad that it is too painful to visit the Brew Cabin. But I now have an improved, although still crap connection, so should visit more often.

Since I moved to Africa I have seen some absolutely appalling construction – so bad you would not believe! The photos below really are not that bad. This is my house which I have rented for a year. The landlord had to install a concrete drive as part of the rental agreement. The photos show his team of workers putting my new drive in…


Below we have a photo of the concrete being placed. Look at that manhole at the top of the picture protruding above the level of the concrete. I have been assured that it is not a problem as they will cut it level with a grinder and patch it up with some render.

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Below, by this stage, more concrete has been placed. Look at the thickness of the concrete – is it 2.5cm thick or 3cm thick? Between the concrete block and the placed concrete you can see a small piece of 12.0mm rebar lying on the ground to give you a sense of scale.

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In this photo below, you can see the boys working backwards. They decided to make the flower bed bigger to save on concrete but are placing the concrete prior to putting the edgings in!

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In the final photo below, you can see the main part of the drive finished. In the bottom left hand corner you can see where today’s concrete neatly merges with yesterday’s pour! The finish is also spectacular!

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I am looking forward to seeing how this drive reacts to my 2.5 tonne car when I park it here!

I will post up some photos of this as well as some of the more amusing construction techniques I have witnessed over here shortly.

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:14 pm
by DNgroundworks
proper job :p

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:16 pm
by Dave_L
Good to hear from you Ted! :)

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:40 pm
by lutonlagerlout
welcome back ted :)
I expect those guys are doing their best considering local practises
LLL

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:45 pm
by Suggers
Good to see you back in here Ted - entertaining & different as usual....

Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:50 pm
by Ted
By local standards, they have done a good job.

Actually a very good job.

I will post a photo shortly of standard practice for a driveway in this area.

Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 6:03 pm
by Tony McC
If you think that's bad, you should see the pavements in Buenos Bloody Aires! Once I've finished sorting out the photies, I'll post a selection to my blog. Trust me: 100mm lips are not uncommon, nor are 300mm deep holes left open to all and sundry.

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 12:21 pm
by Ted
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Well here is 2.5 tonnes parked on my drive which is now over a week old and so has gained much of its strength.

There is not a crack in sight!

Why/how is this?

The cement was poor quality rejected dust from China, the water was not particularly clean, the sand was dirty, there are no control joints cut in and the drive is no more than an inch thick in many places.

One could save a lot of money if one could get away with this...

Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:48 pm
by rimexboy
nice job and a fab car ted :D